Improving Future Thinking Among Mothers
Official title: Parent-Child Memory Study: Improving Future Thinking Among Mothers From a Traditionally Underserved Community to Reduce Harsh Parenting and Improve Child Outcomes - A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by Henry Ford Health System · NCT06145919 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help mothers from low-resource communities think more about the future to see if it can improve their parenting and strengthen their relationship with their children.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 5 Years and up |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 144 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Henry Ford Health System Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Flint, Michigan) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 6, 2024 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2025 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2025 |
| Registry record updated | May 14, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06145919 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are mothers or grandmothers from the Flint area with children aged 5-10 who are willing to participate in the study.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active suicidality, severe mental health disorders, or current involvement with child protective services may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study focuses on mothers from low-resource communities and aims to reduce harsh parenting practices linked to mental health issues in children. It will implement a brief intervention targeting maternal delay discounting, which is the tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over long-term benefits. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an Episodic Future Thinking (EFT) or an Episodic Recent Thinking (ERT) intervention. The effectiveness of these interventions will be evaluated in terms of their impact on parenting behaviors and the parent-child relationship.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to improved parenting practices and better mental health outcomes for children in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: While similar interventions targeting parenting behaviors have shown promise, this specific approach focusing on delay discounting in low-resource settings is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Parent Inclusion Criteria: 1. A mother and or grandmother from the Flint area with a child/grandchild between the ages of 5-10 who can provide legal consent for that child 2. Self-report that they have consistent contact with the child/grandchild 3. Willing to participate in the study 4. Able to participate in written assessments and an intervention conducted in English 5. Have a working cell phone that can receive and send text messages and be willing to receive/send text messages as part of the study 6. Have a phone or device that's able to use video conferencing software if interested in virtual participation Parent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Self-disclosed active suicidality/homicidality 2. Self-disclosed current bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis 3. Self-reported current and ongoing involvement with child protective services Child Inclusion Criteria: 1. Children must be between the ages of 5-10 and have a mother/grandmother willing to provide consent for their participation 2. Willing to participate in parent-child observation sessions 3. Elementary proficiency in English 4. Willing to participate in study surveys Child Exclusion criteria: 1. Self-disclosed active suicidality/homicidality 2. Self-disclosed current bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis
Where it's running
-
Mothers of Joy Institute for Parenting and Family Wellness, Inc
Flint, Michigan, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Julia Felton, PhD
- Email: Jfelton4@hfhs.org
- Phone: 704-995-7832
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.